JM: Did you get off early based on good behavior?Marco: Yes. I was released after 3 months. Juan: I was turned down for discretionary parole 10 times
due to the "violent nature" of my offense (which is
the VA parole board's rubber stamp reason for
violent crime offenders). I was released on
Mandatory parole in Nov. 2009.Emilio: Misdemeanors get out after 50% of their time
felonies after 87%. You can also earn 5 good
days per month working in the jail as well as 5
good days for completion of certain
classes/groups. keep in mind you do not have to
serve your suspended time unless you get back in
trouble after release. Some sentences
are "mandatory" time meaning you have to serve
all of those days and you can only use good time
on days after. I.e. 80 days for a DUI that you
blew .18 20 days mandatory so you serve 20 then
on the remaining 60 you work 1 month and get
good misdemeanor time so you serve 25 more days
or 45 on an 80 day sentence.

JM: What is the most time off you can receive for good behavior?Marco: I think for a misdemeanor its up to 75% off and
for felony its up to 35% offJuan: I earned 30 days good time for every 30 days I
served, which was the maximum I could earn for
staying of of trouble.Emilio: Don't know for sure about this. I don't believe
there is a maximum for misdemeanors.

JM: What types of actions do you need to avoid in order to get time off? Did you ever witness somebody losing time off for good behavior?Marco: No fighting, no violence, no issues at all. Juan: I witnessed people losing good time all the time,
usually for drug usage, stealing, and fighting.
Basically, follow the rules and you'll earn time
off your sentence just for staying out of trouble.Emilio: Just avoid trouble no fighting or contraband.
Most people get some type of program or work
time and everyone gets good misdemeanor/felony
time in the jail.